Narrative Filmmaking: From Script to Screen

Course Description

Narrative Filmmaking: From Script to Screen is a hybrid writing/production course that guides students through the process of completing a 2-3 minute narrative film. Students will write scripts for short fiction films, and then, by filming them, learn to apply the fundamentals of digital video production. Initial classwork will include visual writing exercises, DSLR cinematography instruction, script work, and basic fiction film production. Students will continue on in groups of three to develop, film, edit, and critique 2-3 minute narrative films based on a shared class theme or narrative premise. This course is truly INTENSIVE and requires a significant amount of work (including nights and weekends) outside of class and daily deadlines for submission of creative work.

This course fulfills the Creative Expression (CE) requirement.

Meet the Instructor(s)

Adam Tobin

Adam Tobin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Art & Art History, where he teaches screenwriting, television, script analysis, and adaptation. He created the television series About a Girl and Best Friend’s Date for Viacom’s The-N network (now TeenNick), won an Emmy for writing on Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab, and worked in script development for Jim Henson Pictures and The National Basketball Association. His story clients have included ITVS documentaries, Adidas, Aardman Animation, Blue Sky Studios, Google Maps and Search, and DreamWorks Animation. Tobin also wrote the script and lyrics of She Persisted: the Musical based on Chelsea Clinton’s children’s book and has been commissioned to create a new musical with Mo Willems, bestselling author of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and the Elephant & Piggie series. Tobin holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford in English and an MFA from USC School of Cinematic Arts in Screenwriting.

Elivia Shaw

Elivia Shaw is an award-winning filmmaker based in Berkeley, CA, Elivia is driven by filmmaking that uses intimacy and personal narrative to question our larger social systems and identities. Her work has been featured on the Atlantic and PBS, and screened at festivals including AFI DOCS, DOC NYC, and Big Sky. Her short film, The Clinic, won awards at seven festivals including the Grand Jury Prize at AFI Fest. She previously worked on award-winning television series and documentaries for Al Jazeera, HBO and PBS including Al Jazeera's Empire, Life According to Sam and Sky & Ground. Elivia Co-Produced Natalia Almada’s Users, winner of the 2021 Directing Award at Sundance, and Co-Produced and Co-Edited Leslie Tai’s How to Have an American Baby (True False 2023, DOC NYC 2023, PBS’ POV 2023). She is currently directing her first feature documentary which received support from ITVS, SFFILM, the Redford Center and the Berkeley Film Foundation. She is a graduate of Stanford University’s Documentary MFA where she has taught film production courses since 2018.